Tyler Dean McDowell’s Viral Song Calls Out Disney’s Lost Magic!

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Tyler Dean McDowell isn’t new to the world of music. Being the son of renowned country musician Ronnie McDowell, he was immersed in the industry since childhood. However, instead of strictly adhering to his father’s path, he’s channeling his skills towards a unique purpose—directing his talent towards Disney.

The tune titled “What Walt Would Say” has resonated strongly among disappointed Disney enthusiasts, targeting specifically Disney CEO Bob Iger and the executive team whom McDowell perceives as deviating from Walt Disney’s original ideals. During an exclusive conversation with “That Park Place“, he revealed his profound attachment to Disney, the factors behind the song, and his conviction that the company is gradually losing its enchantment.

A Disney Legacy That Started Before He Was Born

McDowell’s ties to Disney are profound. His dad, the well-known country musician Ronnie McDowell, was celebrated at Disney-MGM Studios with a special ceremony. During this event, he left his handprints in concrete outside The Great Movie Ride, although sadly, these imprints were never exhibited publicly.

“That was one of the highlights of my life,” Tyler shared.

His personal Disney story, however, began even earlier.

He shared that his very first encounter with a Disney park was when his mother discovered she was carrying him while at Epcot. The phone booth where she spoke to her doctor might still be standing in front of the park, he believes. He fervently hopes they don’t remove it, or at least the small structure surrounding it remains.

Growing up, Disney was a central part of his life. But as the years passed, something changed.

Losing the Magic: From Annual Passholder to Disillusioned Fan

McDowell’s lyrics capture a sentiment shared by many longtime Disney fans:

Walking along Main Street, it’s not the familiar feeling anymore…

Something’s shifting, and we can point fingers at the source.

McDowell had been a Disney annual passholder for years—until 2020, when he finally let it go.

He shared that the primary reason for him was the high cost of the experience, finding it exorbitant, particularly considering the cost-to-value ratio or equivalent phrase. Additionally, he found the reservation system problematic. Being quite spontaneous, when traveling, say for performances at the Orange Blossom Opry near Disney, he would often try to visit the parks on a whim. However, once the reservation system was implemented, it became more of a nightmare instead of the magical experience he had expected.

His song reflects this frustration:

Bob, could you share your thoughts? It seems like he’s on the verge of tears because Disney World appears to be sinking due to corporate deceit.

He additionally highlighted the shift in Disney’s approach towards passholders, mentioning that if you’re not a hotel guest who is paying for an on-site stay, there seems to be a subtle sense of disregard shown towards you.

A Music Video That Captures a Ghost Town

Apart from the song “What Walt Would Say,” the accompanying music video has garnered notice due to its captivating imagery. Shot within the Magic Kingdom, it presents a hauntingly vacant atmosphere.

My cousin shared with me that he expressed, “That place seems a bit eerie,” McDowell quoted. “Since it appears as if I’m the sole individual present.

In this film’s captivating scene, I found myself struck by a poignant instance where McDowell was seen standing beside a self-portrait he painted, reminiscent of the legendary Walt Disney.

He shared that the painting process took approximately four weeks, but he made good use of his time by constantly playing “Saving Mr. Banks” and watching old Walt Disney interviews during the creative process.

But there’s an even deeper connection hidden within the artwork.

McDowell shared that he possesses a tiny fragment from Elias Disney’s old shed, which Walt Disney utilized as his initial improvised art workshop. He made clever use of this souvenir.

I tore off a small piece from this object and ground it into powder. Then, I mixed this powder with paint and applied it to Walt’s necktie.

As we delved into our chat, it swiftly became evident that McDowell wasn’t creating just another music video or launching a covert attack on Bob Iger and the Disney executive team. Instead, this piece was a heartfelt homage to none other than the man who ignited the magic, the one and only Walter Elias Disney.

The Message: What Would Walt Say Today?

As a devoted fan, I wholeheartedly agree with Tyler Dean McDowell’s perspective that “What Walt Would Say” transcends the realm of a simple protest song. Instead, it serves as an impassioned plea for us, the fans, to hold Disney accountable and strive for better from this iconic entertainment company.

He emphasized the significance of being constructive, explaining, “Walt certainly demonstrated this.” He continued, sharing a story about how Walt insisted on gold leaf for Sleeping Beauty Castle, but Roy strongly disagreed. Many are familiar with this tale. Eventually, Walt arranged a vacation for Roy, and while he was gone, Walt added the gold leaf to Sleeping Beauty Castle. The speaker suggested that some modern Disney fans might have criticized Walt as negative when he said the gold spray paint wasn’t satisfactory, labeling him ‘just negative.’ Instead, they would praise it, saying, ‘It looks great.’ However, being constructive is still important.

His feelings of discontent go beyond just the parks. He voiced his dissatisfaction over Disney’s decision to remove Walt Disney’s name from Walt Disney Pictures.

As a dedicated film enthusiast, I find myself pondering over this question: “Why, if your aim wasn’t to undermine or strengthen the belief that you care about Walt Disney’s legacy, did you decide to omit his first name?” It seems a bit peculiar and almost whimsical.

As a movie enthusiast, I may have my disagreements with McDowell, but he hasn’t completely lost faith. He firmly believes that there are still visionaries in Tinseltown who grasp the significance of Disney’s rich history – individuals like Jon Favreau. It’s been announced that Favreau will be crafting a Disney+ series around Oswald The Lucky Rabbit, one of Walt’s earliest creations. This news alone gives McDowell a glimmer of hope that the magic of Disney is still alive and well in the hands of talented storytellers like Favreau.

Tyler remarked, “Oswald doesn’t receive much affection,” he added. “However, I believe it’s something Bob Iger can genuinely take pride in since it was an acquisition under his leadership. Yet, with Jon Favreau at the helm, I feel he’s a man who holds deep admiration for the classic Disney material.

Still, for Disney fans who feel left behind, McDowell’s lyrics say it all:

“We wish upon a star for one more magical day
And for you to hear what Walt would say.”

Final Thoughts

Through his work, What Walt Would Say, Tyler Dean McDowell demonstrates that he’s not merely the offspring of a famous country music figure; rather, he showcases himself as an artist who employs his voice to articulate the feelings of fans who may have been overlooked.

The tune he composed transcends being just a protest. Instead, it’s an affectionate missive to the nostalgic Disney of yesteryears, a mournful elegy for the past that slipped away, and a call-to-action to the corporation to honor its origins.

It’s yet unclear if Disney will take notice, but thanks to McDowell, fans now have a song that voices their sentiments.

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2025-03-10 19:58